APHIS Settles Case Against Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.

On May 19, 2016, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. entered into a settlement agreement, otherwise known as a consent decision, to resolve alleged violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). APHIS is issuing this notice to announce the conclusion of this matter.

APHIS filed complaints against Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. on July 19, 2012; November 4, 2014; and August 7, 2015 for allegedly failing to maintain the basic standards of the AWA on multiple occasions. This consent decision resolves the allegations in all three complaints. Copies of the complaints can be found at APHIS Enforcement Actions.

The consent decision provides that Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. is not admitting or denying that it has violated the AWA, and contains an order that includes a provision to cease and desist from violating the AWA, assessment of a $3.5 million civil penalty, revocation of its dealer’s license effective December 31, 2016, and agreement to submit a letter to cancel its research registration by May 31, 2016. Although the order permits Santa Cruz Biotechnology Inc. to use its dealer’s license until December 31, 2016, it will not sell or use any blood, serum, antibodies or certain other products derived from live animals other than what was in its inventory on August 21, 2015, and must cease all sales when the revocation takes effect.

Passed by Congress in 1966, the AWA sets general standards for humane care and treatment that must be provided for certain animals that are bred for commercial sale, sold sight unseen (internet sales), exhibited to the public, used in biomedical research, or transported commercially. The AWA does not apply to coldblooded animals or to farm animals used or exhibited for agricultural purposes. People licensed and registered under the AWA must provide their animals with adequate housing, sanitation, nutrition, water, and veterinary care. They must also protect their animals from extreme weather and temperatures.